Grape plant named ‘A-1400’

ABSTRACT

The new cultivar of grape originated from a hand-pollinated cross of ‘Dunstan-210’ (female parent, not patented) and ‘Black Monukka’ (male parent, not patented) made in 1970. The seedlings fruited in the summer of 1973 in a vineyard near Clarksville, Ark. and one was selected for its potential as a table grape for utilization in the southern United States. The original vine was tested as ‘Ark. 1400’. The new cultivar of grapevine is a white, seedless table grape which provides advancements in Pierce&#39;s Disease tolerance (Xylella fastidiosa Wells et al.) for the southern region of the United States. This cultivar produces large, attractive fruit clusters with berries that have a neutral flavor and palatable, thin skin.

Latin name: Vitis L. hybrid.

Varietal denomination: ‘A-1400’.

BACKGROUND

The new and distinct grapevine named ‘A-1400’ is described herein. Thenew cultivar originated from a hand-pollinated cross of ‘Dunstan-210’(female parent, non-patented) and ‘Black Monukka’ (male parent,non-patented) made in 1970. The seedlings fruited in the summer of 1973in a vineyard near Clarksville, Ark. and one was selected for itspotential as a table grape for utilization in the southern UnitedStates. The original vine was tested as ‘A-1400’. The new cultivar ofgrapevine is a white, seedless table grape which provides advancementsin Pierce's Disease tolerance (Xylella fastidiosa Wells et al.) for thesouthern region of the United States. ‘A-1400’ produces large,attractive fruit clusters with berries that have a neutral flavor andpalatable, thin skin.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new and distinct grapevine cultivar originated from ahand-pollinated cross of ‘Dunstan-210’ (female parent, non-patented) and‘Black Monukka’ (male parent, non-patented) made in 1970 nearClarksville, Ark. The seeds resulting from this controlled hybridizationwere germinated in a greenhouse during the winter of 1970-71. Resultingseedlings were planted in the spring of 1971 in a vineyard nearClarksville, Ark. The seedlings fruited in the summer of 1973 and oneseedling, designated Arkansas Selection 1400, and was selected for itspotential for fresh-market production as a table grape.

During late 1973 and early 1974, the original plant selection waspropagated asexually at the above-noted location, by rooting hardwoodcuttings. A test planting of three vines was established. In allpropagations, hardwood cuttings were used and the selection rootedreadily from hardwood cuttings. All propagules (resulting plants) of thenew cultivar have been observed to be true to type in that during allasexual multiplication, the vegetative and fruit characteristics of theoriginal plant have been maintained. All vines planted from hardwoodcutting propagation fruited in the second or third season of growth inthe vineyard after planting.

Vines of the new cultivar have good growth, not being excessivelyvigorous and maintain good health throughout the growing season. Testplantings at two planting sites in Texas, Somerville, Tex. andStephenville, Tex., have shown merit for use in the southern UnitedStates. ‘A-1400’ has produced well as grafted plants in tests conductedin Texas and has been evaluated on ‘1103 Paulsen’ (non-patented)rootstock. Adaptation to the Texas test sites is good, with plantsshowing winter injury and heat damage to be minimal in theseenvironments and resistance to Pierce's disease to be of value for theregion.

The health of the new cultivar is good. Vines were evaluated forpresence of the following diseases: powdery mildew (Erysiphe necatorSchw. (syns. Uncinula necator (Schw.) Burr., E. tuckeri Berk., U.americana Howe, and U. spiralis Berk. & Curt; anamorph Oidium tuckeriBerk.), downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola Berl. & de Toni.), anthracnose(Elsinoë ampelina Shear), and black rot (Guignardia bidwellii Viala &Ravaz). The new cultivar appears to be less susceptible to downy mildewthan ‘Blanc Du Bois’, though infection has been observed. Fungal diseasecan be controlled by the use of available fungicides. No symptoms ofPierce's Disease were observed at the test sites.

Average harvest date of this new cultivar in Texas is 16 July inSomerville, and 23 July in Stephenville. The berries are small-sized(ave. 2.3 g) and ellipsoid in shape. Fruit is seedless with small tracesundetectable while eating. The flavor of the berry is neutral withbalanced sweetness and acidity. Soluble solids average 16.0%. Fruitcracking and skin splitting is limited though some may be seen in severerainfall pressure seasons. Clusters are medium, with tight cluster-fill.Average cluster weight was 306.4 g in Clarksville, Ark., 237.4 g inSomerville, Tex., and 575.5 g in Stephenville, Tex. Yield averagesranged from 5.5 kg/vine in Somerville, Tex. and 15.9 kg/vine inStephenville, Tex.

The flavor attributes for the new cultivar are reflective of commercialstandards for quality neutral table grapes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new cultivarin color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a colorillustration of this character.

FIG. 1 is a photograph showing typical cluster of healthy fruit on afive-year-old vine, near Somerville, Tex.

FIG. 2 is a photograph showing the leaf adaxial (left) and abaxial(right) view, near Somerville, Tex. Leaves were collected from afive-year-old vine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

‘A-1400’ differs from the female parent, ‘Dunstan-210’, in that ‘A-1400’produces green-skinned and seedless fruit, in contrast to ‘Dunstan-210’which is blue-skinned and seeded. ‘A-1400’ differs from the male parent‘Black Monukka’. ‘A-1400’ has green fruit skin as opposed to the darkpurple to black fruit skin of ‘Black Monukka’. ‘A-1400’ is unique fromsimilar cultivars. The proposed variety blooms an average of 4 daysearlier than ‘Victoria Red’ (non-patented variety). Berry weight of‘A-1400’ averages 2.3 g, which is 4.6 g smaller than ‘Victoria Red’(ave. 6.9 g). The pH juice of ‘A-1400’ is slightly higher than that of‘Victoria Red’, measuring 3.96 and 3.84, respectively.

The following is a detailed description of the botanical and pomologicalcharacteristics of the subject grapevine. Color data are presented inRoyal Horticultural Society Colour Chart designations, 1986 version,second edition.

Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, itis to be understood that such characteristics are approximations ofaverages set forth as accurately as practicable.

The descriptions reported herein are from specimens grown nearSomerville, Tex. Vines used for measurement were irrigated using trickle(drip) irrigation. Vines were fertilized annually in spring withNitrogen or complete fertilizers. No shoot or leaf thinning practiceswere conducted on the vines.

-   Vine:    -   -   Size.—Evaluation vines are grown on a 1.5 m tall,            single-wire trellis, bilateral cordon training system spaced            2.4 m between vines. Vines occupy this space fully.        -   Growth vigor.—Moderate, not excessive.        -   Density of foliage.—Moderate.        -   Productivity.—5.5 kg/vine in Somerville, Tex. and 15.9            kg/vine in Stephenville, Tex.        -   Rootstock.—‘1103 Paulsen’ at Somerville, Tex. and            Stephenville, Tex.        -   Cold hardiness.—Hardy to −12.7° C. (9° F.); potentially            hardier as this was the coldest temperature experienced at            the test site.-   Shoots (current-season canes):    -   -   Color of shoots (current-season canes).—Sun exposed surface:            yellow-green group (144A); shaded surface: yellow-green            group (144A); no presence of anthocyanin on any portion of            the current season shoots.        -   Shoot attitude.—Upright.        -   Openness of shoot tip.—Half-open.        -   Prostrate hairs on young shoot tip.—Absent.        -   Erect hairs on the internodes.—Present, Medium density.-   Canes (mature, dormant):    -   -   Color of mature, dormant cane.—Base: brown group (199A);            midpoint: brown group (199A); terminal: brown group (199B);            anthocyanin pigments are absent on mature canes.        -   Texture of mature, dormant canes.—Moderately rough-textured.        -   Shape of dormant cane.—Round.        -   Length of mature, dormant canes.—2.07 m.        -   Diameter of mature, dormant cane.—Base: 1.01 cm; midpoint:            0.81 cm; terminal: 0.15 cm.        -   Internode length of mature, dormant canes.—Base: 7.65 cm;            midpoint: 5.07 cm; terminal: 2.21 cm.        -   Lenticels.—Absent.        -   Maturity in the fall.—Canes were mature to tips in the fall.-   Trunk:    -   -   Diameter at 30 cm above soil level.—7.30 cm.        -   Shape.—Round to oval.        -   Trunk straps.—Present.        -   Surface texture.—Rough, with exfoliating bark.        -   Color.—Inner bark color: brown group (199A); outer bark            color: brown group (199D).-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement of mature leaves.—Simple.        -   Shape of mature leaves.—Lobed.        -   Number of lobes on mature leaves.—2 lobes.        -   Petiole sinus of mature leaves.—Slightly to wide open;            depth: 3.15 cm; width: 0.94 cm.        -   Venation of mature leaves.—Reticulate.        -   Teeth shape of mature leaves.—Serrate, typically both sides            of teeth convex.        -   Size of teeth.—Depth: 5.32 mm; width: 7.4 mm.        -   Surface texture of mature leaves.—Abaxial surface: smooth,            no blistering; adaxial surface: smooth, no blistering.        -   Dimensions of mature leaves.—Length: 13.24 cm; width: 11.30            cm; thickness: <1.00 mm.        -   Pubescence on mature leaves.—Abaxial surface: none; adaxial            surface: none; prostrate hairs between main veins: absent;            amount of erect hairs on main veins: absent.        -   Color of mature leaves.—Base abaxial: green group (140B);            base adaxial: yellow-green group (144D); midpoint abaxial:            green group (140B); midpoint adaxial: yellow-green group            (144D); terminal abaxial: yellow-green group (144D);            terminal adaxial: yellow-green group (144D); no anthocyanin            on any portion of mature leaves.        -   Autumn coloration of mature leaves.—Abaxial surface:            yellow-green group (145B); adaxial surface: yellow-green            group (145C); anthocyanins: absent.        -   Color of veins on mature leaves.—Abaxial surface:            yellow-green group (150B); adaxial surface: yellow-green            group (150B); no anthocyanins on any portion leaf veins.        -   Leaf pubescence on young leaves.—Abaxial surface: absent;            adaxial surface: absent.        -   Color of young leaves.—Base abaxial: greyed-orange group            (167A); base adaxial: greyed-orange group (167A); midpoint            abaxial greyed-orange group (167A); midpoint adaxial:            greyed-orange group (167A); terminal abaxial: greyed-orange            group (167A); terminal adaxial: greyed-orange group (167A);            anthocyanins present on leaves uniformly giving them orange            tint described above: greyed-orange group (167A).        -   Vein color of young leaves.—Abaxial surface: yellow-green            group (145B); adaxial surface: yellow-green group (145B).        -   Texture of young leaf veins.—Abaxial surface: smooth;            adaxial surface: smooth.-   Petioles:    -   -   Color of mature petioles.—Yellow-green group (145B);            sun-exposed areas are greyed-red group (38D).        -   Anthocyanin presence, mature petioles.—Yes, on sun-exposed            areas; color: red group (38D).        -   Dimensions of mature petioles.—Length: 5.52 cm; diameter:            1.30 mm.        -   Color of young petioles.—Yellow-green group (145B).        -   Anthocyanin presence, young petioles.—Absent.        -   Dimensions of young petioles.—Length: 2.59 cm; diameter:            0.17 mm.-   Tendrils:    -   -   First tendril found at node number.—3 to 6.        -   Orientation.—Opposite.        -   Dimensions.—Length: 9.71 cm; diameter: 0.37 mm.        -   Texture.—Smooth, no pubescence present.        -   Color of mature tendril.—Yellow-green group (145B).        -   Shape and tendency.—Tendrils are forked and curl.-   Buds:    -   -   Number of buds on current, single-season cane.—50.        -   Dimensions of dormant buds.—Diameter: 5.26 mm; length: 5.02            mm.        -   Shape of dormant buds.—Pyramidal to rounded pyramid            (teardrop).        -   Color of dormant buds.—Brown group (199A).        -   Texture of dormant buds.—Smooth, no pubescence.        -   Bud break.—4 March, early.-   Disease resistance:    -   -   Vines were evaluated for presence of the following            diseases.—Powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator Schw. (syns.            Uncinula necator (Schw.) Burr., E. tuckeri Berk., U.            americana Howe, and U. spiralis Berk. & Curt; anamorph            Oidium tuckeri Berk.), downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola            Berl. & de Toni.), anthracnose (Elsinoë ampelina Shear), and            black rot (Guignardia bidwellii Viala & Ravaz). Less            susceptible to downy mildew than ‘Blanc Du Bois’. Fungal            disease can be controlled by the use of available            fungicides. No symptoms of Pierce's Disease (Xylella            fastidiosa Wells et al.) were experienced at either Texas            location where Pierce's Disease is common.-   Flower:    -   -   Fragrance.—Moderate.        -   Sex.—Perfect, hermaphrodite.        -   Bloom dates.—First bloom: 8 April; full bloom: 12 April;            last bloom: 17 April.        -   Flowers per cluster.—321.        -   Inflorescence dimensions.—Length: 12.40 cm; diameter: 5.10            cm.        -   Flower dimensions.—Length: 6.58 mm; diameter: 6.58 mm.        -   Flower longevity.—<7 days, flowers mature and transition to            fruit development quickly.        -   Flower shape.—Typical grape flower with calyptra,            inconspicuous.-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—5.        -   Color.—Filament: yellow group (4D); anther: yellow group 4C.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—1.        -   Length.—1.92 mm.        -   Color.—Yellow-green group (149C).-   Pollen:    -   -   Color.—Yellow group 4C.        -   Quantity.—Moderate.-   Petal:    -   -   Number.—6.        -   Color.—Yellow-green group (149C).-   Sepals: Absent.-   Pedicel:    -   -   Dimensions.—Length: 0.86 cm; diameter: 0.15 cm.        -   Color.—Yellow-green group (149C).-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity.—6 July.        -   Berry shape.—Ellipsoid.        -   Berry color.—Skin: yellow-green group (150A); flesh: yellow            group (1D); anthocyanins: absent from flesh and skin.        -   Berry dimensions.—Diameter at equator: 1.85 cm; diameter at            base: 1.65 cm; diameter at apex: 1.18 cm; length: 1.66 cm.        -   Berry weight.—2.30 g.        -   Berry skin texture.—Crisp, thin, non-slip.        -   Firmness.—Soft.        -   Skin thickness.—<1 mm.        -   Tenacity.—Moderate, does not rupture easily.        -   Brush length.—4.58 mm.        -   Seeds.—Considered seedless; small, rudimentary seed traces            present but undetectable while eating.        -   Juiciness.—Moderate to high.        -   Flavor.—Neutral, good balance of sugar and acid.-   Juice:    -   -   Soluble solids.—16.0%.        -   Titratable acidity.—4.61 g/L tartaric acid.        -   ph.—3.96.        -   Color.—Yellow-green group (149D).-   Cluster:    -   -   Weight.—237.42 g.        -   Cluster dimensions.—Length: 23.10 cm; width: 10.00 cm.        -   Berries per cluster.—123.        -   Cluster per vine.—34.        -   Clusters per shoot.—2.        -   Peduncle (primary).—Length: 2.27 cm; diameter: 2.88 mm;            color: yellow-green group (149C).        -   Density.—Dense.-   Shipping quality:    -   -   Keeping quality.—Berry quality was maintained at 41° F. at            80-90% relative humidity for 21 days.-   Use: Fresh market seedless table grape with good yield potential and    tolerance to Pierce's disease adapted to the southern United States.    This variety is intended for local market sales.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of grapevine named ‘A-1400’ issubstantially illustrated and described herein.